Esports tournament platform Challengermode has entered a partnership with South Korean video game holding company KRAFTON.
As a result of the deal, Challengermode has become the official platform partner of new grassroots esports initiative the PUBG NextPro Series.
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KRAFTON will use the platform to operate events for its PUBG NextPro Series. NextPro is a tournament series offering grassroots esports players the chance to ‘experience pro play in a professional esports setting’, according to a release.
The series aims to attract aspiring players as part of KRAFTON’s efforts to expand the amateur playerbase for PUBG esports, the company said.
The NextPro Series will run for the remainder of 2022 for players in Western Europe and the MENA region. Challengermode will host weekly tournaments that contribute to monthly leaderboards where players can win prizes.
Robin Svensson, Esports Partnerships Manager at Challengermode, spoke on the deal: “We’re delighted to bring KRAFTON, Inc’s grassroots PUBG initiative to life on Challengermode.
“Together with one of the most popular IPs in the world, we are creating a bedrock ground for players looking to ascend to higher tiers of PUBG-endorsed tournaments, which aligns perfectly with Challengermode’s goal of making esports truly accessible for all.”
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The partnership with KRAFTON is Challengermode’s fourth collaboration in 2022. February saw it secure a four-year deal with South Asian organisation NODWIN Gaming, and earlier in the year the platform joined forces with Yup.gg to expand its offerings in Latin America.
Erin Hughes, EMEA Esports Manager at KRAFTON, also commented: “Our main goal for this initiative is to inspire those who have recently taken up PUBG to take the plunge and embark on a new journey through the PUBG Esports ecosystem.”
“Partnering with Challengermode has allowed us to create this grassroots competitive experience, and we look forward to working closely together over the coming months to make this tournament a success, attract new PUBG Esports fans and deliver something that players look forward to returning to again and again.”
Esports Insider says: Armed with plenty of experience in tournament operation, Challengermode joining forces with KRAFTON is great news for the amateur PUBG scene. It’s reassuring — and perhaps smart — to see more grassroots-focused initiatives in esports, catering to the bottom of the pyramid rather than solely the upper echelon of esports players.
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